Perth

Perth is pleasantly sited on the Swan and Canning rivers, with the cerulean Indian Ocean to the west and the ancient Darling Ranges to the east. It claims to be the sunniest state capital in Australia and the most isolated capital city in the world. Perth has a wide variety of accommodation catering for all tastes and price brackets. The main area for budget accommodation is Northbridge, while hotels, motels and holiday flats of all standards are spread throughout the city. Perth is known for its excellent seafood restaurants, but Asian food halls serving a range of cuisines are now very popular. Northbridge is definitely the place to go for nightlife, especially on Friday night. The city centre is fairly compact, situated on a sweep of the Swan River. The river, which borders the city centre to the south and east, links Perth to its port, Fremantle. The western end of Perth rises to the pleasant Kings Park, which overlooks the city. Perth experiences hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. One peculiarity of the local weather is the `Fremantle Doctor', a wind that blows in from the sea in the late afternoon. It is often welcomed by Western Australians as it clears away the oppressive heat. Perth residents claim the city has the best beaches and surf of any Australian city. There are calm bay beaches on the Swan River at Crawley, Peppermint Grove and Como. Or you can try a whole string of patrolled surf beaches on the Indian Ocean coast, including Perth's very popular nude beach at Swanbourne. Scarborough is known for its beachside café society, and is great for experienced surfers and sailboarders. Perhaps the best beach of all is on secluded Carnac Island, frequented by the odd marooned human and some sea lions. The Darling Ranges surround Perth and are popular for picnics, barbecues and bushwalks. There are also excellent lookouts with views over Perth and the coast. Araluen, with its waterfalls, Mundaring Weir, Lake Leschenaultia, and Gooseberry Hill and Kalamunda national parks are all areas of interest. The green and lush Avon Valley, 50km north-east of Perth, looks very English and proved a delight to homesick early settlers. There are many historic buildings in the area and in the spring, many wildflowers are on display. New Norcia, 132km north of Perth, is decidedly incongruous - Australia's very own setting for The Name of the Rose. It was established as a Spanish Benedictine mission in 1846 and is still occupied by monks. It boasts a fine collection of classic Spanish buildings.